Winch-type hoist



Oct. 5, 1965 D. R. HARMONY 3,210,050

WINCH-TYPE HOIST Filed July 2, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l s may FIG 3 INVENTOR DON R. HARMONY BY MAHO/VEK MILLER 8 RAMBO E) z Z A TORNEYS Oct. 5, 1965 D. R. HARMONY 3,210,050

WINCHTYPE HOIS'I' Filed July 2, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 q 35 FIG 5 336 FIG 6' T 40 INVENTOR DO/V R HARMONY BY MAHONEK M/LLER 8 RAMBO A TTORNE Y5 United States Patent 3,210,050 WIN CH-TYPE I-IOIST Don R. Harmony, Nelsonville, Ohio (Cedar Hill Road, Rt. 3, Lancaster, Ohio) Filed July 2, 1963, Ser. No. 292,305 Claims. ((31. 254-168) My invention relates to a Winch-type hoist. It has to do, more specifically, with a winch-type hoist which provides a sensitive speed control mechanism for raising and lowering loads.

My invention deals with a portable self-contained electric winch hoist of the type which includes a motor-driven drum about which a rope or cable is wound in a suitable number of turns to obtain the desired bight, one end of the rope being attached to the load and the other or control end being manually handled to obtain the desired traction on the bight. The drum and associated parts are specially designed to prevent the coils of rope or cable wound thereon from climbing on each other and becoming tangled. The hoist is provided, according to my invention, with means in cooperation with the drum for preventing the turns of the cable or rope on the drum from riding up on each other during rotation of the drum. The hoist is also provided, according to my invention, with an automatic brake arrangement which will function to grip the control end of the cable or rope whenever the driving power to the drum is interrupted thereby preventing dropping of the load when the power is interrupted.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a winch embodying my invention and indicates how it is used.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view of the winch drum taken along line 22 of FIGURE 1 showing the guide pins.

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal section taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary side elevational view of the drum showing its special shape, the control and load ends of the rope being in their centered positions, and also showing the brake mechanism.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of the brake mechanism taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a schematic diagram of the electric control circuit.

With reference to the drawings, in FIG. 1 I have illustrated the complete winch hoist and show how it can be used. It includes a frame 10 which may be suspended from a beam or other suitable support by an eye 11 attached to the top of the frame. The frame carries an electric motor 12 which, through a train of gears in a housing 13, drives, in one direction, a drum 14 that is mounted in the lower end of the frame 10 for rotation about a horizontal axis. Disposed a distance below the drum 14 in a horizontal plane is a rigid plate 15 which extends between the vertical members of the frame 10 and is suitably attached thereto. I have shown a rope 16 coiled about the drum 14 a sufficient number of turns to obtain the necessary bight. One end of the rope 16 3,210,050 Patented Get. 5, 1965 extending downwardly from the winch will serve as the load end 17 and may be attached to a load L while the other end is the control end 18 and can be controlled by the hand of the operator indicated at H.

Carried by the plate 15, and rigidly attached thereto as by welding, are a pair of guide bushings 19 and 20 for directing the rope 16 through the plate and into association with the drum 14. Each guide bushing, 19 or 20, consists of a short tubular member formed with an axial rope receiving bore (see FIGS. 2 and 4) aligned with an aperture, 21 or 22, respectively, formed in the plate 15. Preferably, the marginal edge portions-of the bushing bores and the apertures are formed with a smooth radius, as shown in FIG. 4, to lessen the chafing and resultant wear on the rope 16. The apertures 21 and 22 are positioned tangentially to the surface of the drum 14 on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the drum with each aperture being axially spaced a distance from the midpoint of the drum. The apertures 21 and 22 are relatively spaced apart axially a distance substantially greater than three diameters of the rope 16 with which the winch is designed to operate. This spacing permits the rope 16 to be wound about the drum 14 approximately three times to obtain the necessary traction or friction required in most applications. Obviously, additional or fewer rope coils may be utilized if desired by accordingly altering the relative axial spacing of the apertures 21 and 22.

The drum 14 is formed with a concave surface having the smallest diameter located at the center or midpoint axially thereof and spaced equidistantly from each of the apertures 21 and 22. Preferably the diameter of the drum 14 increases from the center or midpoint along a straightline taper at an angle of approximately two degrees relative to the axis of the drum. I have found that by shaping the drum 14 in this manner, the tendency for the rope coils to climb on or over each other is markedly decreased and thus this shape aids in preventing tangling of the rope coils. Although the rope coils will continue to have a tendency to move toward the load end 17, or the right as illustrated, when a load is being lifted, each coil as it is wound on the drum 14 will urge the next preceding coil downwardly along the inclined surface.

In accordance with this invention, I also provide a pair of guide pins 23 and 24 to further assist in maintaining the rope coils in their properly spaced relationship. Each guide pin, 23 and 24, is formed from an elongated cylindrical rod and is supported on the upper surface of the plate 15. The pins, 23 and 24, are attached at one end to the plate 15 by a pivot pin, 25 and 26, to permit swinging movement in a plane parallel to the surface of the plate. Pin 23, disposed adjacent aperture 21, extends transeversely relative to the drum 14 and is of a length to project a distance beyond the outer surface portions of the rope coils wound on the drum. Similarly, pin 24, disposed adjacent aperture 22, also extends transversely of the drum 14 and is of the same length.

The pins 23 and 24 are of a diameter to project upwardly between the coils of rope 16, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, but do not contact the surface of the drum 14. By appropriately spacing the plate 15 from the drum 14, the pins may be of a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the rope.

Each pin, 23 and 24, is preferably mounted on the plate 15 with the respective pivot pins, 25 and 26, secured to the plate substantially diametrically opposite the adjacent aperture as shown best in FIGURE 2. Also, each guide pin, 23 and 24, is positioned with the free end thereof projecting laterally outwardly beyond the downwardly extending extending end of the rope, 1'7 or 18 as the case may be, at the side thereof nearest the center or axial midpoint of the drum 14. Thus, as the drum 14 is rotated, the rope coming on, and also off, will be separated from an adjacent coil by the respective guide pin. As the load L is being lifted, the guide pin 23 will prevent the coils from traveling toward the right to such an extent that the rope 16 coming on the drum will climb over or on top of the next adjacent coil. In a similar manner, the guide pin 24 will prevent the coils from tangling as the load L is lowered. As will be observed from the illustrations, the guide pins serve as stops to limit the axial displacement of the rope coils.

Since the spacing between the apertures 21 and 22 is slightly greater than the combined diameters of the rope coils and the pins 23 and 24, these coils will necessarily move axially of the drum 14 when either lifting or lower ing the load L. By relatively spacing the apertures 21 and 22 in this manner, the rope coil adjacent a downwardly extending end, 17 or 18, of the rope may be maintained in a relatively spaced relationship thereto by the interposed guide pin 23 or 24. It is necessary for the pins 23 and 24 to be pivotally mounted to accommodate the axial movement of the coils and avoid unnecessary friction on the rope 16.

A braking mechanism is also incorporated in the winch to automatically prevent lowering of the load L should the power to the motor be inadvertently interrupted. The braking mechanism includes a rope engaging pawl 27 carried by the bushing 20 as shown best in FIGURES 1, 4 and 5. For this purpose, the bushing 20 is of elongated form having an axially extending or vertical slot 28 (FIG- URE 4) cut in the wall thereof. Rigidly attached to the exterior of the bushing 20 are a pair of laterally extending lugs 29, one being disposed at either side of the slot 28. The pawl 27 is disposed between the lugs 29 and is mounted thereon by a pivot pin 3% for swinging movement in a vertical plane. The end of the pawl 27 projecting into the bushing 20 through the slot 28 is formed with a rounded, lower corner portion 31 for gripping the ripe 16. In the locking position, illustrated best in FIG. 5, the rope end 18 will tend to move upwardly but any upward movement of the rope end 18 will only serve to increase the locking pressure as the pawl 27 is eccentrically mounted relative to the rope. To unlock the rope, the pawl 27 is pivoted in a clockwise direction thereby disengaging the corner portion 31 from the rope.

The pawl 27 is provided with an elongated handle portion 32 which terminates a distance beyond the end plate of the frame (FIGURE 1). In the present embodiment, the pawl 27 is arranged to extend axially of the drum 14 but this arrangement is not a necessity. Adjacent the free end of the handle 32, a compression spring 33 of the helically wound wire type is disposed between the handle and the plate for normally biasing the pawl 27 in a counterclockwise direction toward the locking posi tion. Preferably, a retainer guide 34 is secured to the upper surface of the handle 32 to maintain the spring 33 in its proper position. The retainer guide 34 consists of a cylindrical pin adapted to be inserted within the spring 33.

Release of the pawl 27 is automatically accomplished by an electromagnetic solenoid 35 carried by the frame 10 adjacent the lower end and immediately above the handle 32. The solenoid includes a movable armature 36 which is mechanically coupled to the handle 32 at its extreme end by a pivot 37. Energization of the solenoid 35 will cause the armature 36 to move upwardly and thereby swing the pawl 27 in a clockwise direction. This unlocks the rope 16 for movement in either direction. Deenergization of the solenoid allows the armature 36 to drop and the pawl 27 will swing counterclockwise, because of the weight of the armature and also the biasing elfect of the spring 33, into the locking position.

To provide automatic braking, I connect the solenoid 35 in circuit with the motor 12 for simultaneous energization with the motor. The electrical circuit includes a power cable 38 adapted to be connected to a suitable power source outlet 39. The cable 38 is of the two-conductor type having one conductor directly connected to a terminal of the motor 12 and also the solenoid 35. Interposed in the other conductor is a manually actuated switch 40. This conductor is connected to a second terminal of the motor 12 and solenoid 35 whereby closing of the switch will simultaneously energize both the motor and the solenoid. Opening of the switch 40 will deenergize both the motor 12 and the solenoid 35. Thus, at any time the motor 12 is stopped or the electrical power supply becomes inadvertently interrupted, the brake mechanism will be automatically actuated to prevent dropping of the load L. The switch 40 may be connected in the circuit by means of an elongated flexible cable 41 to permit positioning of the switch at a convenient height for operation.

It is readily apparent that I have provided an improved winch which greatly facilitates the lifting of heavy loads. The improved drum construction in cooperation with the novel guide pins prevents the rope coils on the drum from becoming tangled and interfering with the operation of the winch. The automatic braking mechanism which I have also provided prevents dropping of the load when the motor is stopped. This is an important safety feature should the electrical power become inadvertently interrupted.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have explained the principles of my invention and have illustrated and described the invention in what is now considered to represent the best embodiment thereof. However, it is to be understood that my invention may be practiced otherwise, within the scope of the appended claims, than as specifically illustrated and described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a winch of the type to apply traction to a rope having a bight on a drum with load and control ends extending therefrom, a drum mounted for rotation about its axis, said drum being of gradually increasing diameter from its midpoint axially in both directions, and guide and centering means for the rope on the drum comprising stops disposed transversely of the drum adjacent the periphery thereof in spaced relationship axially at opposite sides of the midpoint thereof and adapted to respectively engage the control and load ends of the rope, said stops being elongated pins which are disposed substantially tangential to the drum, said pins being pivoted at one end to a support independent of the drum for swinging movement in a plane substantially tangential to said drum with the pivoted end being opposite to the end engaging the respective rope end.

2. A structure according to claim 1 in which said support comprises a plate disposed substantially parallel to the axis of the drum and spaced from the periphery thereof, said pins being pivoted to said plate by pivots located respectively at opposite sides of the axis of the drum, said pins being disposed between said plate and the drum for swinging movement relative to the plate and drum.

3. A structure according to claim 2 in which said plate is provided with guide bushings through which the respective lead and control ends of the rope extend, said bushings being located in said plate substantially diametrically opposed to said pivots of the pins, said pins being of a length greater than the diameter of the drum.

4. A structure according to claim 3 including a brake member movably mounted in cooperation with one of said guide bushings, means for normally biasing said brake member into engagement with the rope in the bushing, and control means for releasing said biasing means. 5. In a winch of the type to apply traction to a rope having a bight as convolutions wound on a drum with load and control ends extending therefrom, a drum mounted for rotation about its axis, said drum being of gradually increasing diameter from its midpoint axially in both directions, and guide and centering means for the rope on the drum comprising stops disposed adjacent the periphery of the drum at opposite sides of the axial midpoint thereof and having portions extending between the convolutions of the rope adjacent the control and load ends thereof which are yieldable axially of the drum.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Wilhelmi 254 168 Freytag.

Triece et a1.

Walbridge 18865.1 Ferris 254166 Arnold 254167 X Carroll 254168 X Meyer 188-651 SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A WINCH OF THE TYPE TO APPLY TRACTION TO A ROPE HAVING A BIGHT ON A DRUM WITH LOAD AND CONTROL ENDS EXTENDING THEREFROM, A DRUM MOUNTED FOR ROTATION ABOUT ITS AXIS, SAID DRUM BEING OF GRADUALLY INCREASING DIAMETER FROM ITS MIDPOINT AXIALLY IN BOTH DIRECTIONS, AND GUIDE AND CENTERING MEANS FOR THE ROPE ON THE DRUM COMPRISING STOP DISPOSING TRANSVERSELY OF THE DRUM ADJACENT THE PERIPHERY THEREOF IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP AXIALLY AT OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE MIDPOINT THEREOF AND ADAPTED TO RESPECTIVELY ENGAGE THE CONTROL AND LOAD ENDS OF THE ROPE, SAID STOPS BEING ELONGATED PINS WHICH ARE DISPOSED SUBSTANTIALLY TANGENTIAL TO THE DRUM, SAID PINS BEING PIVOTED AT ONE END TO A SUPPORT INDEPENDENT OF THE DRUM FOR SWINGING MOVEMENT IN A PLANE SUBSTANTIALLY TANGENTIAL TO SAID DRUM WITH THE PIVOTED END BEING OPPOSITE TO THE END ENGAGING THE RESPECTIVE ROPE END. 